JOB DESCRIPTION

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QUALIFICATIONS

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the Emergencies programme of the WHO’s functions especially in the areas of foresight, tools development and partnerships building.

Background

The Department of Epidemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, EPP develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. EPP is committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through:

• Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact.
• Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies.
• Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership.
• Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.

The Biosecurity & Health Security Protection (BSP) Unit’s primary role is to ensure public health goals are upheld in situations that involve the security sector (Health-Security Interface). The Interface has four pillars of work: risk assessment, foresight, risk mitigation and risk management. The Unit provides a Secretariat function for the implementation of the four pillars, ensuring coordination between stakeholders and partners and increasing advocacy and awareness raising. The second function of the Unit is to lead on the risk assessment and risk management pillars through building trusted partnerships; facilitating an UN-wide coordinated approach; and delivering tools and guidance.

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Deliverables

• Output 1: Development of global database of trends relevant to pandemic preparedness and deliberate events.
  • Activity 1.1: Compile various data sources.
  • Activity 1.2: Design a database.
  • Activity 1.3: Contribute to organize experts’ consultations to validate the database design and content.
• Output 2: Development of plausible scenarios using foresight methodology and derived insights.
  • Activity 2.1: Contribute to the design of foresight methodology that will be used to develop scenarios.
  • Activity 2.2: Contribute to the development of scenarios related to deliberate events.
  • Activity 2.3: Contribute to the organization of bi-regional workshop to discuss the scenarios and generate insights.
• Output 3: Development of a country assessment tool for deliberate events preparedness and readiness.
  • Activity 3.1: Contribute to the development of the assessment tool.
  • Activity 3.2: Contribute to the mapping of countries capacities using the assessment tool.
• Output 4: Development of a network of institutions/stakeholders in the areas of computing science, digital security and other relevant expertise.
  • Activity 4.1: Map institutions/stakeholders in the area of computing science, digital security and other relevant expertise.
  • Activity 4.2: Contribute to the development of a network of stakeholders, through facilitating discussions and online gatherings.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• First university degree in science, engineering or mathematical modelling.

Desirable:

• Post graduate degree in science, engineering or mathematical modelling.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• At least 2 years of relevant experience in science, engineering or modelling.

Desirable:

• Work experience with an international agency and/or UN.

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SKILLS:

• Expertise in statistics and data analysis.
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling.
• Knowledge of computer programming.
• Knowledge of infectious diseases and epidemic surveillance.

LANGUAGES REQUIRED:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of another UN language.

LOCATION

Off site: Home-based.

TRAVEL

The consultant is expected to travel.

REMUNERATION AND BUDGET (TRAVEL COSTS ARE EXCLUDED):

REMUNERATION:

Band level A – USD 3,955 – 6,980 per month.

LIVING EXPENSES (A LIVING EXPENSE IS PAYABLE TO ON-SITE CONSULTANTS WHO ARE INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED):

N/A

EXPECTED DURATION OF CONTRACT:

6 months.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html

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